Dorchester County board approves variance for 18-by-30 deck in tidal buffer

The Dorchester County Board of Appeals voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing Robert and Nika Grove to build an 18-by-30-foot open deck at 6213 Twin Point Cove Road within the county's 100-foot tidewater buffer.

County staff told the board the proposed deck would be no closer than 43 feet, 9 inches from the water's edge and that the structure is not counted as lot coverage but would be considered disturbance to the tidal buffer. Staff said the Planning Commission gave the case a favorable recommendation on the 3rd of this month (month not specified) and that the original house was built in 1981, before the county's critical area regulations took effect.

The board approved the variance with conditions recommended by staff. Conditions recorded on the record require that the deck not be converted in the future to enclosed living space or to any form of impervious lot coverage (including conversion to a sunroom, a covered deck, or placement of impervious material beneath the deck). The approval also requires a buffer management plan to mitigate all permanent disturbances within the 100-foot tidewater buffer at a 3:1 ratio per Dorchester County Code —7816(e).

During questioning, applicant Robert Grove confirmed he had discussed the required modifications with staff and said, "It's not a problem." Board members reviewed the general variance and critical-area criteria on the record, noting the house predates the critical-area rules; after determining the standards were met, a motion to approve was made, seconded, and approved with all members voting in favor.

The board advised that anyone who testified will be notified by mail of the decision and that any party aggrieved by the decision may appeal to the circuit court within 30 days. No additional business was heard at the meeting.